Vending machines



March 4, 1958 L. E. NELSON VENDING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18. 1956 w z z a Z/ I VEN TOR. lAwRE/vcE/S NEL sa/v March 4,1958 L. E. NELSON 2,825,488

VENDING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N V EN TOR. Z nwns/vce ENEL so/v Filed June 18, 1956 MW-KM Arron/vars March 4,1958 L. E. NELSON 2,825,488

' VENDING MACHINES Filed June 18. 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 4 lllllllldll IN VEN TOR. lnw/aswcs E. N51. so/v.

March 4, 1958 Filed June 18, 1956 L. E. NELSON 2,825,488

VENDING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Shet 6 r17- TORNE 'YJ United States Patent VENDING MACHINES Lawrence E. Nelson, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor t0 Steelemade, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application June 18, 1956, Serial No. 591,907

3 Claims. (Cl. 221-67) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in vending machines, generally, and more particularly to that class of coin-controlled vending machines which automatically eject a selected article or package therefrom upon the insertion of a coin or coins totalling the price of the selected article.

In recent years it has become common practice in many industrial plants, and in such public places as schools, colleges and transportation terminals, to dispense candy bars, chewing gum, and various other confections, including soft drinks, milk, and coffee, by means of coinactuated vending machines. Now that such practice has become so well established, there has developed a demand for various hot foods, such as prepared soups, stews, and many other canned foods which are usually heated before serving to make them more palatable.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a vending machine having means therein for supporting a plurality of containers or cans containing different food articles such as soups, or the like, along with means for maintaining the contents of said cans at a predetermined ready-to-eat temperature, and other means for selectively ejecting said cans from the machine by n e simple manipulation of a control element following the insertion into the machine by the purchaser of one or more coins totalling the dispensing price of the selected article.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vending machine comprising a plurality of magazines, each adapted to support a plurality of cans filled with a selected soup or similar product, and means being provided for circulating heated air through said magazines to heat the contents of the cans supported thereon to a predetermined temperature, and to maintain such food articles at such temperature.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a novel and advantageous article vending and dis pensing mechanism operative to vend the lowermost article from two adjacent stacks or columns thereof in a common magazine, including a swingable retainer element or lever which effectively supports both of said stacks and upon movement in one direction drops an article from one stack and on movement in an opposite direction drops an article from the adjacent stack. In accordance with this object this lever, as it will be hereinafter termed for convenience, is power actuated by an upwardly and downwardly moving cam element and the weight of the stacks of articles is not depended upon for such actuation, all as will be set out hereinafter. Also for convenience in the following description the articles vended will be referred to as cans, whether of soup, prepared stew or whatever, and without, of course, limiting the invention only to the dispensing of cans, as such.

A further object of the invention resides in the unique arrangement of the magazines within the heating chamber of the apparatus, said magazines being readily removable from their respective supporting means for filling and inspection, and said magazines also being spaced from one i 2,825,488 Patented Mar. 4, 1958 another and from the inner wall surfaces of the heating chamber to permit free warm air circulation upwardly through the apparatus in such manner that all of the cans or containers supported in said magazines are exposed to the flow of heated air through the heating chamber, thereby to assure rapid heating of the contents of the cans.

A further object resides in the unique construction of the means for ejecting each selected can to a position at the front of the apparatus whereby it may readily be grasped by the purchaser.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simple and inexpensive construction of the apparatus, as a whole, whereby all working parts are readily accessible for inspection and repair, and whereby the machine readily lends itself for manufacture in quantity production; in the specific construction of the delivery chute; and in the provision of an attractive display shelf in the upper portion of the door of the cabinet, for displaying the various food articles contained in the machine and indicating the vending price of each such article.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view showing the front of the dispensing machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 5, with some of the parts omitted, showing the air circulating means in the lower portion of the cabinet;

Figure '3 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 5, showing the ejector means provided at the bottom of each magazine for controlling the ejection of cans therefrom to the delivery chute;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view similar to Figure 3, showing the ejector means of one of the magazines actuated to release a can, and also showing in full lines, the closure for the delivery chute in its normal closed position, the dotted lines indicating said closure when in open position to permit free passage of the ejected can into the delivery chute;

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, with some of the parts omitted, showing the preferred dual arrangement of the individual magazines within the cabinet; I

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2, showing the tracks at the top end of the cabinet for removably supporting the magazines therein;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 3, showing only one of the magazines;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 3, showing the switch provided in each magazine for indicating when the magazines are emptied of cans;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a view in perspective of one of the dual magazines removed from the cabinet with the ejecting echanism omitted therefrom;

Figure 11 is a detail view showing the lower portions of two connected magazines equipped with a vending mechanism of a slightly modified construction, wherein the cans in each magazine are arranged in two vertical stacks, wherein the cans of adjacent stacks are independent of one another, as compared to the staggered relation of the cans in the preceding figures;

Figure 12 is a view showing the lower portion of a magazine of the type shown in Figure 11, with the ejector mechanism actuated to release a can;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail view showing one of the cam plates of the form of ejecting mechanism 3 illustrated in Figure- 4, detached from its supporting magazine. V

In the selected embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, for purposes of disclosure, a vending machine comprising an insulated oabin'et co-mpri'sing a rear Wall 2, side walls 3 and 4, top and bottom walls 5 and 6, and a door 7. The door 7 is hinged at 3 as shown in Figures 5 and 6, as is well known in structures of this general type.

The walls of the cabinet, including the door 7, cooperate to provide an enlarged heating chamber 9. An inclined perforated or grill-like partition 11 is fixedly mounted in the lower portion of chamber 9, onto which each can ejected from the magazines is precipitated for delivery into the delivery chute 12, as will be understood by reference to Figure 4'. e A suitable air circulating fan 13 is mounted in the lower portion of the cabinet below the partition ti, and is shown driven by a motor 14 supported in an open frame 15, as will be understood by reference to Figure 2; Frame 15' is shown comprising upright plate members 16 and 17, the latter being spaced inwardly from the back wall 2 of the cabinet to provide a cold air return duct 18 through which the partially cooled air at the top of chamber 9 is returned to the bottom of the chamber into contact with suitable heating elements 19, located in the path of the return flow of air from the upper portion of the chamber, the bottom edge of plate member 17 is spaced upwardly from the bottom wall 6 to permit air flow thereb'eneath from the cold air duct 18, as will be understood.

When the apparatus is utilized for dispensing food articles which require heating, such as soup, chile, stews, and the like, the cold air from duct 18 is reheated as may be required by the heating elements 19 and-is recir culated upwardly through the grill-like partition 11 by fan 13, whereby such heated air is constantly circulated upwardly between and around the cans of food contained in'th'e magazines, whereby such food may be maintained hot for an indefinite length of time.

In the apparatus as herein disclosed, six magazines are shown, as best illustrated in Figure 5, designated by the reference characters A, B, C, D, E and F. To facilitate manufacture, handling and loading, magazines A and- B are shown secured together in side-to-side relation to provide, in effect, a single composite unit. Magazines C and D are similarly secured together in side-toside relation, and, in like manner, magazines E and F are secured together in side-to-side relation.

Suitable means, such as tie bars 21 and 22 secure the top and bottom ends of each pair of magazines A, B, etc., together, as best illustrated in Figure 10. Each composite magazine thus comprises dual can-receiving chambers AB or C-D or EF, as will be understood by reference to Figure 5. One side of each can-receiving chamber or magazine A to E, inclusive, is open substantially the height thereof, as indicated at 23 in Figure's 7, 9 and 10, to facilitate placing the cans in the magazines, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 9.

Co-acting elements 24 and 25 are secured, respectively, to the inner surface of the top wall 5 of the cabinet and the. upper ends of the magazines for movably supporting the magazines within the heating chamber 9 of the cabinet, as best illustrated in Figure 6, and whereby the magazines may readily be moved into or out of the cabinet, when the door 5 is open, to facilitate loading, and for periodic inspection or repairs, when necessary.

Each single magazine A, B, C, etc., has an independent can ejecting mechanism, as clearly illustrated in. Figures 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9. As the ejecting mechanisms of all magazines are identical in construction and operation, but one such mechanism need be described in detail.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 7, the ejecting, mechan'isni of each magazine comprises a solenoid 25' having an armature 27 mounted for reciprocal movement therein, as is well known in such devices. The solenoid is shown mounted upon a plate 25 fixedly secured to the lower portion of its respective magazine, as best illustrated in Figure 7. Armature 2'7 is operativeiy COD- nected to a cam plate 29 by a pivot pin 31, the cam plate having an upwardly extending strap-like extension 32 to which the armature a7 is directly connected. See Figure 13.

En the magazine structure shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the cans in each magazine A, B and C, etc., are stacked in two vertical stacks, and the cans of one stack are disposed in staggered relation to the cans of the other stack in the magazine, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. By staggering the cans in each magazine, all of the cans co- .ained therein may be retained against downward movement by intercepting passage therefrom of the lowermost can in the magazine, as will next be described.

To control the delivery of cans from the magazine a delivery rod or article retaining element is mounted for lateral swinging movement below the two stacks of cans in the magazine and is adapted to alternately engage the lowermost cans in said stacks of cans to cause but a single can to be discharged from the magazine for each cycle of operation.

Rod 33 is supported at one end by a link 345 having its upper end pivotally supported on a pivot pin 35, shown secured to the cross member 22 of the lower end of the magazine. The opposite end of rod 33 is secured to the lower end portion 39 or" an operating arm or lever, generally designated by the numeral 37. Arm 37 is pivotally supported on a pivot pin as, secured to plate 23 of the magazine, and is laterally of set, as shown at 39, whereby its upper end portion is spaced outwardly from plate 28, as best illustrated in Figure 7, thereby to provide adequate clearance for the cam plate 29 between it and plate 28 of the magazine.

Cam plate 29 is guidingly supported for vertical movements by a pair of vertically spaced flanged studs 41, secured thereto as by riveting. tuds 41 are received in elongated openings or slots 42 provided in a suitable supporting bracket 3. Bracket 43 is preferably channel-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Figure 9, and has outwardly extending flanges td-44 to facilitate spotwelding it to plate 28 the magazine, as will be understood. Bracket 43 has its central portion cut away, as shown at in Figure 4 to provide a clearance path for a" flanged anti-friction roller 46, carried by the upper end of the operating arm 37, as best illustrated in Figure 7.

Cam plate 29 has an elongated irregularly shaped hori zontal opening therein, generally designated by the numeral 47. The lower portion of opening 47 is provided with opposed cam faces :3 and 49, adapted to be alternately engaged by roller 46 of operating arm 37, as will subsequently be described. Extending into opening 47 from the upper portion of the cam plate is a wall portion 51, the ends of which are disposed in substantially parallel relation and cooperate to provide abutments or stops 52 and 53 adapted to be engaged by roller 46 of arm 37 during each cycle of operation. The enlarged end portions 54 and 55 of opening 47 provide clearance openings for roller 46 of operating arm .37, and also stops for limiting the lateral swinging movement of arm 37.

Means is provided for constantly urging the cam plate 29 downwardly, and is shown comprising a pair of spring elements 56, having their upper ends attached to the cam plate and their lower ends to brackets 57, secured to plate 2-8 of the magazine. Oscillation of arm 37 efiects the delivery of cans from the magazine, and the operation of said arm is controlled by the cam plate 29 which is actuated in one direction by the solenoid 26 and in the other by the springs 55'. Said solenoid is energizedunder control of any suitable coin-controlled circuit and since such circuits and the components thereof are well known in the art they are not disclosed herein.

However, means is shown including a normally open switch 58, and a movable actuating arm 62 operatively secured thereto, which is movable between the full and dotted line positions, shown in Figure 8; the full lines indicating the position of arm 62 when in circuit-closing position, as when engaged by a can in the magazine; and the dotted lines indicating the released or circuit-opening position of switch arm 62, as when the magazine is empty of cans. Switch 53 is fixed to plate 28 of the magazine, and an opening 63 is provided in said plate through which the switch-actuating arm 62 extends into the path of the cans. This switch may be suitably wired into the coincontrolled circuit (not shown) in such fashion as to preclude the energization of the solenoid associated with any of the magazines if that magazine is empty, as will be readily understood by those skilled in this art.

Selection as between the magazines A-F from which the purchaser desires an article is by a selector knob 64 at the frontof the machine and to facilitate selecting a desired food article from the machine, the door 7 of the cabinet is shown provided at its upper end with a glazed panel 108 behind which is a shelf upon which the six difierent food articles contained in magazines A and F,

inclusive, may be displayed. A plurality of lead lines 1119, 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115 lead from the selector knob 64 on the front of the door to the different food products displayed in the upper portion of the door, whereby the purchaser may readily and quickly select the desired food article or can of soup. Also on or in the door 7 are a coin slot 116, a pilot light 105 to indicate readiness of the machine to vend and the usual coin return clip 117.

To prepare the vending machine for operation, the six magazines, A, B, C, D, E and F, are each filled or partially filled with two vertical stacks or columns of cans with the cans of one stack being disposed in staggered overlapping relation to the cans of the second stack in each magazine, as clearly illustrated in Fi ures 2 and 3.

When the cans are initially deposited in a magazine, as shown for example, in the magazine at the left hand side of Figure 3, the lowermost can in said magazine is prevented from dropping through the bottom of the magazine because of the rod 33 of the ejector mechanism being normally interposed in its path. Rod 33 is retained in such position as a result of the roller 46 at the upper end of the operating lever 37 being engaged with the stop 53 of its respective cam plate 29, whereby the weight of the cans in the magazine cannot force rod 33 laterally out of the way of the lowermost can to permit said lowermost can-to drop from the magazine. it is to be understood that the solenoids 26 are normally de-energized when the machine is at rest.

Operation To operate the machine, the selector knob 64 is moved into registration with one of the lead lines 109 to 115, leading from said knob to the selected food article displayed through the glazed panel 108 in the upper portion of the door. Upon the insertion then of the proper coin or coins the solenoid 26 of the magazine containing the selected articles is energized and pulls its cam plate 29 sharply upward from the position shown at the left hand side of Figure 3, to the position shown at the right hand side of said figure. Such movement of cam plate 29 releases roller 46 of arm 37 from stop 53, and almost at the same instant cam face 49 of the cam plate engages roller 46 and swings arm 37 laterally into engagement with cam face 48, as shown at the right hand side of Figure 3. Immediately as this occurs the coin-controlled mechanism ie-energizes solenoid 26, whereupon springs 56 sharply return cam plate 29 to its normal lowered position, shown in Figure 4. Such return of cam plate 29 to its normal position releases roller 46 from cam face 48, and permits it to swing into the clearance opening 54 in the adjacent end of aperture 47 in the cam plate. Thus, the weight of the cans alone is not relied upon to shift the arm, the cams will, however insure an additional positive actuation of the arm.

Such action of roller 46 causes arm 37 to assume the position shown at the right in Figure 4, whereby the lowermost can in the left hand stack or column of cans in the magazine is released from the magazine, and drops by gravity onto the perforated partition 11, as indicated by the arrow, from whence the ejected can rolls forwardly into the delivery chute 12, as indicated by the dotted lines. During this latter portion of the cycle, rod 33 is swung into the path of the lowermost can in the adjacent stack of cans in the same magazine, thereby to temporarily engage and intercept delivery of the can in said adjacent stack of cans, and thus condition the ejecting mechanism for the next cycle of operation.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the successive ejection of the cans from the magazine is controlled entirely by the movement of the operating lever 37, the operation of which is controlled by movement of the cam plate 29 and solenoid 26.

The can ejected from a selected magazine will roll by gravity down the perforated member or partition 11 onto a spring-biased closure, generally designated by the numeral 118. Closure 118 is readily depressed to open position by the weight of the can, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 4. The vended can will come to rest against an upright flange 119 of the chute 112 where it may readily be picked up by the purchaser, as will be understood by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 4.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a can ejecting mechanism of slightly modified construction, wherein two vertical r stacks or columns of cans are supported in each magazine, as in the previous figures, but wherein the two stacks of cans in each magazine are so arranged that the gravitational descent of the cans in one stack of a given magazine are not dependent upon the cans in the adjacent stack in the same magazine for their descent.

In other words, the essential difference between the two structures resides in the arrangement of the stacks or columns of cans in each magazine. In the form shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the cans of the two stacks of cans in any given magazine are arranged in overlapping contacting relation, as best illustrated in Figure 2, whereby a single interceptor rod 33 controls the ejection of the cans from the two adjacent stacks of cans.

In the form shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cans of one stack of cans in a given magazine are not disposed in overlapping contacting relation with the cans of an adjacent stack, as in the previous figures. The ejecting mechanism illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 comprises a cam plate 121 having an upstanding strap-like portion 122 which is pivotally connected to the armature 27 of a solenoid 26, in a manner similar to the structure illustrated in the previous figures. Cam plate 121, like cam plate 29, is provided with studs 41 carr ing antifriction rollers which are vertically movable in slots 42 as in Figures 3 and 7.

Cam plate 121 also has formed therein a horizontally disposed irregularly shaped opening 123 having a lower edge portion 124 terminating at its ends in opposed cam faces 125 and 126. Cam plate 121 also has a de pending central portion 127 terminating at its ends in stop or cam faces 12S and 129 adapted to be engaged by a cam roller 131, carried by an operating lever or arm 132, similar to arm 37 shown in the previous figures.

Arm 132 is pivoted to plate 28 by a pivot pin 133 and has a cross bar 134 at its lower end for engaging and intercepting the delivery of cans from the magazine, as Will be understood by reference to Figure 11. Lever 132 also carries laterally spaced inwardly projecting pins 135 and 136; pin 135 being adapted to successively engage the cans in the left hand stack of cans, as shown in Figure 12; and pin 136 being adapted to similarly engage the lowermost cans in the right hand stack of cans, when viewed as shown in Figure 11.

A suitable spring 137 has one end attached to the upper end of lever 132 and its opposite end is anchored to a bracket 138, as shown at 139 in Figures 11 and 12. Spring 137 constantly urges lever 132 toward a neutral position which is controlled by the action of cam plate 121.

'In the magazine at the left hand side of Figure 11, cam plate 121 is shown in its normal lowered position, in which position it is retained by the action of springs 56. When so positioned the cam roller 131 of lever 132 is" engaged with the face 129 of the cam plate which acts asa stop whereby the lever 132 is locked against pivotal movement with its lower cross bar 134 positioned in the path of the lowermost can of the stack of cans at the left hand side of the magazine. When so positioned it will be noted that pin 136 of lever 132 is engaged with the periphery of the lowermost can in the adjacent stack of cans, whereby said can is also prevented from further downward movement in the magazine.

When the proper coin (or coins) is inserted following positioning of the selector knob 64 as aforesaid, solenoid 26 of the selected magazine is momentarily energized and instantly pulls the cam plate upwardly to the position shown at the right hand side of Figure 11, whereby the two rows of cans in the magazine will descend to what may be referred to as the cocked or ready position shown at the right hand side of Figure 11. In this position it will be noted that cam roller 131 is engaged with cam face 125, and the operating lever 132 is momentarily retained in such position as a result of the lowermost cans in the two stacks of cans in the magazine bearing upon the cross member 134 and pin 136, respectively, of lever 132, in opposite directions but so as to momentarily tend to swing the lever in a counterclockwise direction.

I After such momentary energization of the solenoid 26 the current flow thereto is interrupted, whereupon springs 56 instantly pull the cam plate downwardly from the position shown in the right hand side of Figure 11, to that shown in Figure 12. Such downward movement of the cam plate 121 causes the cam plate face 123 to engage cam roller 131 if necessary to swing lever 13?. outwardly to the position shown in Figure l2, whereupon the lowermost can in the left hand stack of cans in the magazine drops by gravity from the magazine, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 12.

When the lever 132 is so positioned, pin 135 of the lever intercepts passage of the next succeeding can in the left hand stack of cans while the cross bar 134 holds the cans of the right hand stack of cans, as will be understood by reference to the drawings. Operating lever 132 will then return toward center until its roller 131 is stopped by cam plate face 128 and it is then ready for the next operation.

The novel vending machine herein disclosed has been found extremely practical and eflicient in operation. The unique mounting of the magazines within the heating chamber 55 of the cabinet is important in that it permits the magazines to be conveniently moved outwardly through the open door of the cabinet to a position where they may readily be loaded when emptied of cans.

When the magazines are positioned within the heating chamber 9, as shown in Figure 5, they are completely surrounded by heated air circulating upwardly between them and the cans supported therein, such air being returned to the lower portion or the cabinet through the return air duct 18 shown in Figure 2, for reheating. Ther nostatic means, not shown, is provided for maintaining the temperature of the heated air in the cabinet at a predetermined figure.

Another important feature of the can ejecting mechanism shown in Figures 11 and 12 is that the alternate ejection of the cans from the bottoms of the two stacks of cans in each magazine is accomplished by a positive action which does not require that the cans of the two stacks of cans in the magazine be arranged in overlapping contacting relation, as in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

In the specification and claims, the food articles to be dispensed have been referred to as cans. It is to be understood, however, that the machine is not limited to the vending of canned goods only, as obviously various other types of containers may be handled without departing from the scope of the invention.

The novel vending machine herein disclosed may also be utilized for vending refrigerated food articles such as soft drinks, milk, and other dairy products, by simply substituting a conventional refrigerating coil for the heating elements 19, now shown in Figure 2.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vending machine having a magazine for con tai'ning two adjacent upright stacks of articles with the articles in one stack vertically offset with respect to corresponding articles in the other stack, vending mechanism comprising a lever supporting both stacks and being pivotally mounted adjacent the lower end of said magazine for swinging movements to and between two angular positions to alternately release articles from the respective stacks, upper and lower means on the lever for alternately engaging and supporting articles in said stocks with said upper means engaging the lowermost article in one s'tacls while the lower means engages the lowermost article in the other stack when the lever is in one of its angular positions, such lower means being operative to release and dispense said last mentioned lowermost article when the lever is shifted to its other angular position, a lever actuating member mounted for vertical reciprocating movements, means for moving said member to upper and lower positions, said member having a pair of transversely spaced cam faces adapted to alternately engage the lever when the member is successively raised to its uppermost position to initiate movement of the lever from one of its angular positions to the other, and said member also having a pair of transversely spaced stops which will, upon successive movements of the actuating member to its lower position, be alternately operative to engage and lock the lever in respective angular positions.

2. In a vending machine having an upright magazine for containing a pair of stacks of articles to be discharged alternately from the stacks through the lower end of the magazine, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent the lower end of the magazine for swinging movement into two angular positions, said lever having means engageable with the lowermost articles in the respective stacks to support both stacks, and being operative upon movement from one angular position to the other to alternately discharge single articles from the stacks, a lever actuating member mounted on the magazine for vertical movement in opposite directions into upper and lower positions, said member having a pair of oppositely acting cam faces adapted to alternately engage the lever and move it successively in opposite directions toward said angular positions upon successive movements of the actuating member in one of said directions, and said actuating member having a pair of stops, one vertically disposed with respect to each of the cam faces, and each of which is operative to engage the lever When the lever has been moved into an angular position adjacent thereto by movement of the actuating member in its opposite direction, to releasably lock the lever in such angular position, and means for operating the actuating member.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 in which said operating means includes a spring connected with the actuating member to yieldingly move it in one direction and a solenoid connected with the actuating member to move it in the opposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mullins Dec. 9, 1941 Young et a1. Feb. 3, 1948 Holt Mar. 30, 1948 Holt Mar. 30, 1948 1 Devens Apr. 27, 1948 Balzer Feb. 7, 1950 10 Johnson Feb. 12, 1952 Holt et a1. Oct. 28, 1952 Sadler Dec. 16, 1952 James June 1, 1954 Johnson Sept. 11, 1956 Wellekens Oct. 2, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 13, 1931 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1930 Great Britain Dec. 29, 1947 

